The maximum demand for electricity has exceeded the historical record on several occasions during 2026; The most recent was on Monday, May 18, when 2,417.15 megawatts (MW) were registered, according to data from the Wholesale Market Administrator (AMM).
The figure represents a 9.66% growth compared to the 2,204.22 MW of historical maximum demand registered in 2025.
The general manager of the AMM, Jorge Álvarez, recently explained that one of the times of greatest demand for electricity is the weeks before Easter, as the industry increases its production in order to prepare for the days off and high demand for various products.
That is one of the factors that regularly influences March or the first days of April, depending on the date of Holy Week, which this year was from March 28 to April 5. For example, on March 11, a record was recorded when the maximum demand reached 2,263.23 MW.
However, this year there have also been records for peak demand at the end of April and several times during May.
Consulted during this month, the AMM executive explained that the increase in demand after Easter has been due to several factors, among the most recent the heat wave in the country, as well as the incorporation of a large industry to the National Interconnected System (SNI).
High temperatures
Data from Insivumeh indicate that on hot days, maximum temperatures of between 26°C and 42°C have been reported, depending on the region of the country.
Álvarez explained that the weather conditions, with the increase in temperature, are having a very important effect, since, as a result of the heat, people use air conditioning or fans.
Furthermore, the sector has explained that in cases of high temperatures, more cooling is required for equipment and machinery, which increases electricity consumption.
Now, the sector monitors the weather forecasts and the behavior of the winter season, not only because of the possibility of an intense heat wave, but because the level of rain would be lower than normal, so a drier year than the previous one is expected, Álvarez commented.
Meanwhile, Insivumeh reported on May 13 that an 88% probability of conditions associated with the El Niño phenomenon is expected in Guatemala during the quarter from May to July, which could favor high temperatures, decreased rainfall and droughts in different regions of the country.
Before that, he had announced that the dog days are expected to begin from the third week of June and could last until August.
These conditions could generate reduced rainfall, increased heat and possible droughts in regions such as Bocacosta, Pacific, West, Valles de Oriente and Petén during the rainy season.
Separately, the Guatemalan Association of Electricity Transporters (AGTE) cited data from Insivumeh that reports that on April 25 the country reached one of the highest thermal records of the year, with temperatures of up to 43.4 degrees Celsius in Zacapa, and that this season of extreme heat has increased energy consumption in different regions of the national territory.
The AGTE indicated that the intense temperatures recorded in Guatemala in April and May are causing a significant increase in the demand for electrical energy, driven mainly by the constant use of cooling equipment in homes, businesses and industries.
The entity mentioned that, according to information from energy distribution companies, “this climate phenomenon has generated greater use of fans, air conditioning systems, industrial refrigeration and other electrical equipment” and has considerably increased the pressure on the National Interconnected System.
The distributors Energuate and Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala, SA (EEGSA) were consulted about the growth in demand, but they have not responded.
When the AMM manager was consulted about the sector’s preparation to face the increased demand and climate conditions, he said that part of the operation is to coordinate to optimize generation, including coordination with Inde for the optimal use of the Chixoy reservoir, so that it can be used at this time when the mill harvest is ending and the hydraulic contribution of other plants that do not have such large reservoirs is reduced.
The generation of each plant that is connected also contributes to the system, he added.
New user
The other factor mentioned by Álvarez is the connection to the electrical system of an industry that previously supplied itself with electricity. This company was qualified as a large user and consumes around 50 megawatts, which is a factor that was not foreseen, he said.
Regarding this new user, this week the company Fenix Nickel announced that the processing plant in El Estor, Izabal, Fenix Metales, SA (formerly Pronico), began operations in May; Before that, it had carried out tests in March and April.
To operate the furnace they will require 120 MW, but currently they require 50 MW.
Previously, the company was self-sufficient with coal generation, but now, with the reactivation of operations, it was connected to the SNI. In this regard, executives from that company indicated this week that, to date, the maximum operating point has not yet been reached, because about 120 MW of power is required to achieve optimal production.
They currently have 50 MW that they acquire in the spot market—opportunity market without a contract—and they plan to reach 75 MW soon, and in around two years to reach the aforementioned total.
Apart from this aspect, demand from homes, industry and commerce continues to grow.
For example, in homes people have access to more electronic equipment; In addition, there is the growth of distribution networks, with which more homes are connected, Álvarez mentioned.
The reactivation of rural electrification programs also influences more connections and will have a high impact on demand growth, he added.
Electricity transportation
Given the current conditions and what is expected for the rest of the year, the AGTE announced in a statement the importance of the infrastructure developed by the transportation sector “to sustain the operation of the national electrical system in times of high demand.”
He indicated that currently the transport agents associated with the AGTE operate 1,992 kilometers of electrical transmission lines and 150 substations throughout the country.
In addition, between 2015 and 2025, associated transporters made investments of more than US$901 million in electrical transmission infrastructure, strengthening the capacity and resilience of the national network, the entity added.
He points out that, by having a mesh network, the SNI allows for better fluidity of electricity.
According to the statement, Juan Jacobo Rodríguez, vice president of the AGTE and general manager of the Conecta company, explained that investments are essential to guarantee that energy can be mobilized safely and efficiently to the regions where it is most needed, especially during seasons of extreme heat, when electricity consumption reaches high levels.
“The sustained increase in temperatures also puts back on the table the importance of continuing to strengthen the country’s energy infrastructure to respond to the effects of climate change, the growth of demand and the economic and social development needs of Guatemala,” it was added.